Man uses 'Back to the Future' distraction to punch gunman

A UK teen has outsmarted his gun-toting attacker with a distraction tactic straight out of Back to the Future.

Mugger Jason Dunne, 32, held up the unidentified victim around 4am as he walked through a Manchester University campus, the Manicurian Matters reported.

CCTV footage shows Dunne waving the pistol at the student, asking "Do you want to be shot?" and demanding he hand over his mobile phone.

But the quick-thinking 18-year-old – perhaps inspired by the classic movie series' protagonist, Marty McFly – reacted by pointing the other way and exclaiming, "Wow, what’s that over there?", before punching his distracted attacker in the face.

Dunne stumbles for a moment in shock, while the undergraduate flees the scene with his phone still in his pocket.

The footage emerged this week as Dunne, who was arrested moments after the attempted hold-up, was jailed for five years for the November 2013 incident.

One police source said the victim showed great presence of mind in the face of danger.

"It may have been the oldest trick in the book but it certainly got the better of Dunne," the source said.

Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Matthew Henry